Steve King

We are humbled and gratified that a Member of Congress will speak at the Storm Lake Memorial Day ceremony Monday morning on the courthouse lawn. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, has taken time out of his busy schedule in Washington to offer his reflections on those who served our nation in the military and who have gone on to their eternal reward. The committee that secured his appearance is to be congratulated.

We would like to welcome Democrats from around the sprawling Fourth Congressional District for their convention in Storm Lake on Saturday. Congressional candidate Jim Mowrer of Boone will deliver the main address as he trudges on in his campaign to unseat Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron. Mowrer will need every ounce of support he can get against King, who has trounced every comer. We wish him all the best. It would be nice if we were not embarrassed every time our congressman opens his mouth. Mowrer is a class act who would do us proud.

Democrats have only themselves to blame if they lose control of the US Senate this fall and watch their other mid-term election prospects wither on the vine for ignoring one key group: Latinos. Overwhelming support among Latinos keeps Harry Reid in good stead as the senator from Nevada, and was a major component of vaulting Barack Obama into the White House.

After a tortuous process, Buena Vista County and the City of Storm Lake have come to a meeting of the minds that helps everyone out. The county has been stuck with the rubble remains of what was supposed to be the Sunset Bay Condominiums along Lakeshore Drive next to the municipal golf course. This week, the county board of supervisors announced a settlement that will allow the property to be sold to the city, which in turn will hand it over to a developer.

We cannot speak with detachment about Buena Vista County Sheriff Gary Launderville. He is an old school buddy, a lifelong friend who we admire as honest, dedicated and 100% sincere. So it came with surprise and great disappointment when he announced Tuesday that he will retire within the year. He intends to move to a retirement home in Missouri he bought with his wife, Sandy. All we can do is lament his leaving and wish him well.